Venugopal dismissed as AIIMS director for violating code of conduct

New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) The ongoing tussle between Health Minister Anbumoni Ramadoss and AIIMS Director P Venugopal culminated today in the dismissal of the latter by the institute's governing body for 'violating the code of conduct' of the premier institute.

The decision came after over three-hour emergency meetings of the insitute's body AIIMS governing body, presided over by Dr Ramadoss.

BJP leader V K Malhotra, a member of the institute's body, who attended the meeting, told reporters that majority of the 17 members at the meeting, opposed the move to dismiss Dr Venugopal, which was done without following any norms and procedures.

''The issue was not listed in the main agenda but at the end of the meeting, Dr Ramadoss brought a supplementary agenda to dismiss the AIIMS Director for violating the code of conduct. Though most of the members opposed the move to dismiss Mr Venugopal without following the procedure and without giving him opportunity to explain the dissent of only three was noted,'' he added.

''It is a black day, the saddest day for the democracy. One by one the government is destroying all the autonomous institutions.

This is a draconian decision and even in dictatorship or during the emergency, this had not happened,'' he said.

However, the health minister refused to comment on the decision.

''Today the Institute's governing body met and had went through the agenda and also gave its recommendations to the government of India... what the recommendations are is previleged information and I cannot reveal it.'' A dejected Dr Venugopal, who was seen going out Nirman Bhavan with the support of three people, refused to comment on the developments.

According to Mr Malhotra, the order to dismiss Dr Venugopal will come into force immediately but he will be given three months salary. He said now this decision would go to the Cabinet Committee on Appointments and till the time being, Health Secretary P K Hota is likely to take over charge as the AIIMS director.

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